Gas holder of the piston closure type



July 18, 1933.

R. BERG FELD GAS HOLDER THE PISTON CLOSURE TYPE Fild Dc. 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 18, 1933.

R. BERGFELD 1,918,894

GAS HOLDER OF THE PISTON CLOSURE TYPE Filed Dec. 51, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J22 we: 7/02 Patented July 18, 1933 REINHOLD BERGIFELD, OF BERLIN, GERMANY I GAS HOLDER OF THE PISTQN CLOSURE TYPE Application filed December 31, 1930, Serial No. 565,881, and in Germany April 28, 1930.

In the case of gasholders of the disc or piston closure type, it is known that the packing for the piston must always fit closely against the inner wall of the holder, in

U order to prevent the escape of gas. On this account, it was impossible with the known methods of packing the piston, to ascertain the condition and extent of wear, or the need of repair of the packing while the gasholder is in use. In such cases it was necessary either to dismount the packing and place the gasholder, or the gas space of the holder, in communication with the outside air, or

else, with holders open at the top, to take out the piston from above, which, like the re insertion of the piston, proved a difficult matter.

The present invention obviates these inconveniences and is intended to render the packing surface of the piston accessible at all times without trouble and without placing the gas space in communication with the atmosphere or exposing the person occupied with the repair or inspection of the packing to the risk of becoming gassed.

According to the invention, this purpose is attained by providing substantially all round the lower part of the gasholder, an opening (which may, if necessary, be interrupted by struts) adapted to be closed by cover plates and to be wholly or partially uncovered by taking-01f the plates-an operaion easy to effect. The aforesaid opening is located at the point where the piston packing is approximately in its lowest position.

A special immersion seal is also provided on the under side of the piston, owing to which the aforesaid opening may be uncovered without any escape of gas.

In one embodiment the immersion seal is disposed in the interior of the holder at such a distance from the wall of the latter as to leave an accessible intermediate space.

, Under a modification, instead of providing the lower part of the holder all round with an opening as aforesaid, the lower part of the holder is widened so as to provide an ac cessihle intermediate space or working chamber, from which, when the plston has been r L let down into its lowermost positlon, the

packing or. packings are accessible on all sides and all round; They are freely exposed and can very easily be examined, repaired or renewed. The working chamber is 'of such height, in relation to the position of the packings, that a gap is formed, between the piston and the holder, through which the gas contained in the working chamber can easily escape in theupwardly direction. The influx of air below the piston, or the escape of gas from below the piston, is prevented by the immersion seal already described.

The packing, or the uppermost packing where several are provided, and the immersion seal are so co-related that, during the lowering or raising of the piston, the liquid seal does not come out of operation until the uppermost packing has come into operation and the gap has been re-closed. In this position, the air can be blown out of the working chamber by means of gas, so that, when the piston rises and the liquid seal is thus put out of action, no explosive mixture can be formed with the gas which now enters.

The piston is generally guided by means of upper and lower rings of rollers adapted to bear against the holder wall, and, in order to ensure its proper guidance when the lower ring ofrollers comes out of action during the descent of the piston into the trough of the liquid seal, guides are provided for the piston, either in the trough or on the lower end of the edge of the piston. These guides may consist of rollers, springs, spring-controlled rollers or the like. When springs are used, those constructed of arched sheet metal, secured at one end are particularly suitable.

Tn ordinary working, the piston does not dip into the liquid. seal, but only descends to such an extent as to leave all the packings and rollers in engagement with the holder wall. This is preferably ensured by tilting or by layin blocks or the like, on which the piston can rest, abovethe sealing trough which can be opened for the introduction of the piston by withdrawing said blocks. It is advisable to leave the sealing trough empty until the inspection or repairing is to take place, and only ll it when such occasions arise.

Typical embodiments of the invention are 100 illustrated in the accompanying which 1 shows one embodiment in section on line II-II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a cross section partly on line II and partly on line I I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment on line IVIV of Fig. 4:;

Fig. l is cross section partly on line III-III and partly on line III III of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 shows in sectional elevation still an other embodiment, the piston being in its lowest possible position;

Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but with the piston in its lowest operative position; and

Fig. 7 is as regards the left half a section on line V-Vof Fig. 5 and as regards the right half a section on line VIVI of Fig. 6.

According to the examples illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4, the gasholder is attached to the outer framework 1 by means of connecting drawings, m

members 2. The holder 3 is provided all round its lower part or skirting with an opening 5 which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably interrupted by webs 4n. lVhen the holder is in use, this peripheral opening is closed from the outside by means of plates 80 6 which are secured to the holder 3 by bolts 8 (Figs. 1. and 2), or which bolts connect the plates one with another (Figs. 3. and 1). Y The edges .of the opening 5 are preferably strengthened with flat strips 9 of iron. The 8}}; plates 6 carry filling pieces or liners 7 in order to ensure adequate sealing of the contents of the holder. In the construction according to Figs. .3 and 41, the liners 7 are offset laterally with respect to the plates 6 so that adjacent plates overlap at the joints and thus produce a special packing effect. The piston 10 which moves up and down in the holder under the pressure of the gas entering and leaving the holder by way of the pipe 29, is equipped with a suitable packing 11. When the piston is in its lowermost position, this packing bears against the liners 7. Then, by loosening the bolts 8 and taking off the plates 6 together with the liners 7, the packing IS 59; exposed all round the holder so that it can be inspected, repaired or renewed. In order to prevent the gas under the piston from escaping into the outer air when the opening 5 is uncovered. there depends from the piston a cylindrical ring 12 which dips into a water trough 13, thereby forming an immersion seal.

This immersion seal 12, 13- in the construction according to Figs. 3 and 4 is disposed more towards the inside of the holder and 6Q; iway from the vertical wall thereof so that there is left bet-ween this seal and the lower part of the wall of the holder a space 14 in which an lubricant or the like detached during the rise and fall of the piston 10 may 6a collect and from which it can be removed after the plates 6 have been taken off. The immersion seal is so constructed that it permits of the piston 10 being slightly raised and lowered while the packing is being repaired or renewed without risk of an escape of gas, and so that access can be had to the space above the piston as well as to the space below the same.

According to Figs. 5 to 7, the gasholder 3 is also attached to the outer framework 1 by means of connecting members 2. The lower portion or skirting of the gasholder is made wider all round than its upper portion so that there is formed between the lower edge of the upper portion and the foundation 15 a peripheral opening similar to the opening 5 in the previously described constructions and through which access can be had to the piston packing all round. The space formed between the piston when in its lowest position and the widened wall at the lower part of the holder constitutes a working chamber 19.

Admission into the said chamber is afforded I by a manhole 20, whilst openings 21 and 22 are provided for the inlet and outlet of gas and air. It follows that from the working chamber 19 access can be had to the packing all round the same exactly as with the opening or openings 5 in the previously described constructions. To prevent the gas led into the holder through the pipe 29 from escaping underneath the piston 18, there is arranged in the foundation 15,'as in the constructions according to Figs. 1 to 1, a trough. 16 and on the piston a depending ring 30 which together form an immersion seal.

In Fig. 5, in which the piston 18 is sh Wii in its lowest possible position and in which the piston packing is accessible, the ment is such that the upper ring of rollers remains in engagement with. tie wall of the holder whereas the lower ring of rollers 21 is out of action. The piston 18 is guided or centered in this position by springs 17 disposed in the trough 16 and adapted to press against the depending ring 30 of the piston. In this position of the piston the working chamber 19 communicates with the interior of the holder above the piston by way of the gap 25, so that access can be had to the top of the piston.

In F ig. 6 the piston is shown in its lowest working position in which both rings of rollers 24 and 23 are in engagement with the wall of the holder. The piston 18 rests on blocks 27 which have been tipped over the trough 16 about the pivotal axes 26. The blocks are actuated by means of rods 28 leading to the outside of the holder. By the arrangement of the blocks the piston is prevented from sliding down into the immersion seal and the rollers and piston packing are prevented from becoming disengaged from the wall of the holder.

I claim 1. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder, a skirting constituting a downward continuation of the holder, a piston displaceable in the holder and also downwardly to a lowermost position within the skirting, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner Wall of the holder, said skirting having at least one opening giving access to the packing substantially all round the skirting in the said lowermost oosition of the piston, and means normally closing said opening. I

2. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in theholder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, and removable closure means for said openinggiving access to the piston packing in the lowermost position of the piston.

3. In a gasholder ofthe piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a. piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, a removable closure means for said opening giving access to the piston packing in the lowermost position ofthe piston and an immersion seal for the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the holder.

4. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against-the inner wall of the holder, removable closure means for said opening giving access to the piston packing in the lowermost position of the piston, an immersion seal for the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said. seal being located within the holder and spaced'fromthe wall thereof to provide a separate chamber.

5. Ina gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder-having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, and closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber, from which the piston packing is accessible in the lowermost position of the piston, said means. having a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber. i I

6. In a gasholder of the piston closure her, and an immersion seal type, the combination of a holder having part adapted to be norm'ally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from-which the piston packing is accessible in the lowermost position of the piston, said means having a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, and an immersion seal for the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the holder.

.7. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an I opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the hold r, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, and closure means for said opening constituting a widened GX-V tension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which both the space above the piston and the pis ton packing are accessible in the lowermost position of the piston, said means having'anormally closed aperture giving access to the'working chamber.

8.-In a gasholder-of the piston closure type, the combinationot a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to-be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder,'ja packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means constituting a widened'extensi'on of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which both the space above the piston and the piston packin are accessible in the lowermost position or the piston, said means having a normally closed,

aperture giving access to the working chamfor the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said sealbeing located within the holder. I I I 9. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wallof the holder, closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of thelowerend of the holder and providing a working chamber from which the piston packing is accessible in the lowest possible position of the piston, said means having a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, and upper and lower sets of guide rollers carried by the piston of which the upper set remain in engagement with the holder when the piston is in its lowest possible position. V

10. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the'combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normall 1 closed, a piston displaceahlein the holder, a packing carried by the piston to'bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means for said opening constituting widened extension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which the piston packing is accessible in the lowest possible position or" the piston,- said means having a normally closed aperture" giving access to the working chamber, upper and lower sets of guide rollers carried by the ,piston of which the upper set remain in engagement with the holder wh is in its lowest possible pos immersion seal for the preventin en the piston ion, and an piston in this posit on escape of from below the piston, said seal being located wit in the holder.

11. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower partadapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means for said open ing constituting a widened extension of-the lower end of the holder and providinga working chamber from which both the space i above the piston and the piston packing "are accessible in the lowest possible position of the piston, said means having a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, and upper and lower sets of guide rollers carried by the piston of which the upper set remain in engagement with the holder in the lowest possible position of the piston. f l

12. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination a holder having an opening substan ally all round lower part adapted to-be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower 7 end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which both the space above the piston and the piston packing are accessible in the lowest possible position of the piston, said means having a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, upper and lower sets of guide rollers carried by the piston of which the upper set remain in engagementwith the holder in the lowest possible position of the piston, and an.

immersion seal for the piston in this posi tion preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the.

holder.

13. In a gasholderof the piston closure type, the combination of a holderhaving an opening substantially all roundits lower part adapted to'be-normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which the piston packing is accessible in the lowest possible position of the piston, said means having a'normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, an immersion seal forthe piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the holder, and means in the seal for guid ing the piston on its-introduction.

14. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round itslower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the'piston to bear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which both the space above the piston and the piston packing are accessible in'the piston, said means having anormally closed aperture giving access to the working chamher, an immersion seal for-the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston,-said' seal being located within the holder, and means in the seal for guiding the piston on its introduction.

15. In a .gasholder of the piston closure lowest possible position of the i type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally clos'e'd,a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner the holder, closure meansfor said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower end ofthe holder and providing a working chamber from which the piston packing is accessible in the lowest ossible position of the piston, said means iaving a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, upper and lower sets of guide rollers carried by the piston of which the upper set remain in'engagement with the holder in the lowest pos'sibleposition of the piston, an immersion seal for the piston in this posi-' tion preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the holder, and means in the seal for guiding the piston on its introduction.

16, In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holder having an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in. the holder, a-packing carried by the piston to bear against the inner wall of wall of the holder, closure means for said opening constituting a widened extension of the lower end of the holder and providing a working chamber from which the piston packing is accessible in the lowest possible position of the piston, said means having a normally closed aperture giving access to the working chamber, an immersion seal for the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the holder, and means displaceable to prevent the piston entering the seal.

17. In a gasholder of the piston closure type, the combination of a holderhaving an opening substantially all round its lower part adapted to be normally closed, a piston displaceable in the holder, a packing carried by the piston tobear against the inner wall of the holder, closure means constituting a widened extension of the lower end of the holder 7 which the upper set remain in engagement with the, holder in the lowermost position of the piston, an immersion seal for the piston in this position preventing escape of gas from below the piston, said seal being located within the holder and means displaoeable to prevent the piston entering the seal.

7 REINHOLD BERGFELD. 

